Innovation and sustainability in Anambra State Civil Service, Nigeria
Abstract:
Purpose: This study empirically investigated the relationship between innovation and sustainability in the Anambra State Civil Service.
Method: Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the investigation, and hypothesis testing was conducted using the least-squares regression model. Hence, data were collected using an e-questionnaire survey sent to the respondents (staff of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning) through their various WhatsApp group platforms, out of which 112 responses were recorded, received, and used in the data analysis.
Results: A positive and significant influence was found between innovation and sustainability in the Anambra State Civil Service at the 1% significance level. The study therefore concludes that the advent of technological innovation, administrative innovation, and organizational innovation have led to sustainability in the Anambra State Civil Service. Thus, innovation determines sustainability in the Anambra State Civil Service. In lieu of this, the study recommends that civil servants be encouraged to be innovative by appropriately rewarding every innovative idea.
Conclusions: The study concludes that the advent of technological innovation, administrative innovation, and organizational innovation have led to sustainability in the Anambra State Civil Service.
Limitations: Some of the respondents did not attend the e-questionnaire. Thus, notwithstanding, a thorough work was carried out.
Contribution: This study contributed to knowledge by designing a model variable and updating the literature on the subject.
Novelty: This study introduces a new idea on innovation obtainable in the Anambra State Civil Service.
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Agbeyangi, A., Makinde, A., & Odun-Ayo, I. (2024). Nigeria's ICT and Economic Sustainability in the Digital Age. arXiv preprint arXiv:2401.03996.
Agri, E. M., Kennedy, N. D., Bonmwa, G. O., & Acha, O. F. (2018). Technology innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship development in Nigeria: stakeholders’ impact assessment in central Nigeria.
Ajemije, T. C., Olabode, O. T., Moronke, L. A., & Idika, A. K. (2020). Influence of technology on entrepreneurial innovative ability and sustainability in Nigeria. Accounting and taxation review, 4(1), 1-12.
Amegayibor, G. K. (2021). Leadership styles and employees' performance: A case of family-owned manufacturing company, Cape Coast. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 3(2), 149-164. https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v3i2.624.
Anoke, F., Ngozi, N. H., Uchechukwu, E. S., & Joyce, I. (2022). Entrepreneurial marketing and SMEs growth in post Covid-19 era in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 4(2), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v4i2.833.
Atairet, A. C., & Campus, O. A. (2022). Innovative administration and service delivery for sustainable civil service in Nigeria. AKSU Journal of Management Sciences, 7(1). 10.61090/aksujomas.2022.011.
Atuluku, A., & Uchendu, J. (2021). Key Business Sustainability Concepts. Retrieved from https://sustyvibes.org/uncategorized/key-business-sustainability-concepts/
Awosika, F. O. (2014). Transforming public service performance in West Africa through innovations: Experiences from Ghana and Nigeria. Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review, 2(4), 72-100. https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v2i4.68.
Babarinde, S. A. (2021). Innovation and firm’s sustainable advantage: a study of the telecommunication industry in Nigeria.
Barney, J. B. (2018). Why resource?based theory's model of profit appropriation must incorporate a stakeholder perspective. Strategic management journal, 39(13), 3305-3325. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2949.
Colbert, B. A., & Kurucz, E. C. (2007). Three conceptions of triple bottom line business sustainability and the role for HRM. Human Resource Planning, 30(1).
Daboh, O. A., & Omeiza, O. J. (2022). EFFECT OF INNOVATION ON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AMONG SMEs IN NIGERIA. Covenant Journal of Entrepreneurship.
Dyllick, T., & Muff, K. (2016). Clarifying the meaning of sustainable business: Introducing a typology from business-as-usual to true business sustainability. Organization & environment, 29(2), 156-174. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026615575176.
Emeka, O., Kelvin, M., & Amara, U. (2023). Intellectual capital efficiency and corporate sustainability growth: The Nigerian Evidence. management, 11(3), 35-41.
Harrison, N., & Watson, T. (1998). The focus for innovation in small and medium service enterprises. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Western Decision Sciences Institute: April 7-11, 1998, Harrah's and Hampton Inn at Harrah's, Reno, Nevada.
Irikefe, O. P., & Bob-Alli, M. (2019). Effect of Innovation on Business Sustainability in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
Joseph, T., Umogbai, M., Kwahar, N., & Adudu, C. (2023). Effect of Innovation on Entrepreneurial Success of Manufacturing Small and Medium Firms in North-Central Nigeria. International Academy Journal of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurial Studies, 10(1), 84-103.
Kleiner?Schäfer, T., & Liefner, I. (2021). Innovation success in an emerging economy: A comparison of R&D?oriented companies in Turkey. Growth and Change, 52(2), 963-989. https://doi.org/10.1111/grow.12479.
Leonard, O. E., Anichebe, & Chukwudi, O. (2016). Effect of Budget Implementation on Accountability of Selected Public Sector Organizations in Nigeria. 2, 34-44.
Maliki, T. O., & Amusan, O. M. (2019). Impacts of technology innovations and entrepreneurship training on sme performance in Nigeria.
Mukherjee, T., & Sen, S. S. (2019). Impact of corporate governance on corporate sustainable growth. International research journal of business studies, 12(2), 167-184. https://doi.org/10.21632/irjbs.12.2.167-184.
Nel, D., & Masilela, L. (2020). Open governance for improved service delivery innovation in South Africa. International Journal of eBusiness and eGovernment Studies, 12(1), 33-47. https://doi.org/10.34111/ijebeg.202012103.
Nosike, C. J., Ojobor, O. S. N., & Nosike, C. U. (2024). Enhancing business resilience: Innovation and adaptation during and after the global pandemic. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 6(2), 217-229. https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v6i2.1891.
Okereke, O. O., & Ekpe, A. E. (2002). Development and underdevelopment: Politics of the north-south divide: John Jacob's Classic Publishers.
Okonkwo, K. O., & Eneh, I. I. (2023). Technological Innovation and Performance of Technology Based Companies In South-West, Nigeria. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 11(8).
Olughor, R. J. (2015). Effect of innovation on the performance of SMEs organizations in Nigeria. management, 5(3), 90-95. 10.5923/j.mm.20150503.02.
Omede, K. N., & Aghanenu, A. (2021). Innovation and Entrepreneurship Performance in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. Journal of Management: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 14(3), 257-275. https://doi.org/10.35508/jom.v14i3.4810.
Onwe, S. O., Abah, E. O., & Nwokwu, P. M. (2015). Politics of recruitment and selection in the Nigerian civil service-An Ebonyi state experience. Public Policy and Administration Research, 5(2), 92-99.
Onyekwelu, N. P., Monyei, E. F., & Muogbo, U. S. (2022). Flexible work arrangements and workplace productivity: Examining the nexus. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 4(3), 303-314. https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v4i3.1059.
Orga, I. (2023). Innovation and sustainability of small and medium scale enterprises in Enugu metropolis. Journal of Accounting and Financial Management, 1(3), 1-26.
Oyerinde, A. J., Adeyemi, S. N., & Ayantoso, A. (2023). Technological Innovation and SMEs Sales Growth (A Case Study of Some Selected SMEs in Lagos State. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals, 7(1), 370-380.
Tacheva, Z., Simpson, N., & Ivanov, A. (2020). Examining the role of top management in corporate sustainability: does supply chain position matter? Sustainability, 12(18), 7518. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187518.
Twaliwi, Z. C., & Isaac, O. M. (2017). Impact of Innovation on the Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise in Gwagwalada, Abuja. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Development, Education and Science Research, 4(1).
Ukpong, A. M., Uwa, K. L., & Ekanem, U. A. (2022). Business Innovation and Organizational Sustainability: A Cross Sectional Study of Entrepreneurial Business in Uyo Metropolis. European Journal of Business and Innovation Research, 10(4), 74-93.
Wijesundara, N., Khatibi, A., Azam, S. F., & Tham, J. (2025). Effect of motives on sustainability performance of tourist hotels: Mediating role of sustainability adoption. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 6(2), 125-140. https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v6i2.2412.
- Agbeyangi, A., Makinde, A., & Odun-Ayo, I. (2024). Nigeria's ICT and Economic Sustainability in the Digital Age. arXiv preprint arXiv:2401.03996.
- Agri, E. M., Kennedy, N. D., Bonmwa, G. O., & Acha, O. F. (2018). Technology innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship development in Nigeria: stakeholders’ impact assessment in central Nigeria.
- Ajemije, T. C., Olabode, O. T., Moronke, L. A., & Idika, A. K. (2020). Influence of technology on entrepreneurial innovative ability and sustainability in Nigeria. Accounting and taxation review, 4(1), 1-12.
- Amegayibor, G. K. (2021). Leadership styles and employees' performance: A case of family-owned manufacturing company, Cape Coast. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 3(2), 149-164. https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v3i2.624.
- Anoke, F., Ngozi, N. H., Uchechukwu, E. S., & Joyce, I. (2022). Entrepreneurial marketing and SMEs growth in post Covid-19 era in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 4(2), 115-127. https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v4i2.833.
- Atairet, A. C., & Campus, O. A. (2022). Innovative administration and service delivery for sustainable civil service in Nigeria. AKSU Journal of Management Sciences, 7(1). 10.61090/aksujomas.2022.011.
- Atuluku, A., & Uchendu, J. (2021). Key Business Sustainability Concepts. Retrieved from https://sustyvibes.org/uncategorized/key-business-sustainability-concepts/
- Awosika, F. O. (2014). Transforming public service performance in West Africa through innovations: Experiences from Ghana and Nigeria. Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review, 2(4), 72-100. https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v2i4.68.
- Babarinde, S. A. (2021). Innovation and firm’s sustainable advantage: a study of the telecommunication industry in Nigeria.
- Barney, J. B. (2018). Why resource?based theory's model of profit appropriation must incorporate a stakeholder perspective. Strategic management journal, 39(13), 3305-3325. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2949.
- Colbert, B. A., & Kurucz, E. C. (2007). Three conceptions of triple bottom line business sustainability and the role for HRM. Human Resource Planning, 30(1).
- Daboh, O. A., & Omeiza, O. J. (2022). EFFECT OF INNOVATION ON INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AMONG SMEs IN NIGERIA. Covenant Journal of Entrepreneurship.
- Dyllick, T., & Muff, K. (2016). Clarifying the meaning of sustainable business: Introducing a typology from business-as-usual to true business sustainability. Organization & environment, 29(2), 156-174. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026615575176.
- Emeka, O., Kelvin, M., & Amara, U. (2023). Intellectual capital efficiency and corporate sustainability growth: The Nigerian Evidence. management, 11(3), 35-41.
- Harrison, N., & Watson, T. (1998). The focus for innovation in small and medium service enterprises. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Western Decision Sciences Institute: April 7-11, 1998, Harrah's and Hampton Inn at Harrah's, Reno, Nevada.
- Irikefe, O. P., & Bob-Alli, M. (2019). Effect of Innovation on Business Sustainability in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
- Joseph, T., Umogbai, M., Kwahar, N., & Adudu, C. (2023). Effect of Innovation on Entrepreneurial Success of Manufacturing Small and Medium Firms in North-Central Nigeria. International Academy Journal of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurial Studies, 10(1), 84-103.
- Kleiner?Schäfer, T., & Liefner, I. (2021). Innovation success in an emerging economy: A comparison of R&D?oriented companies in Turkey. Growth and Change, 52(2), 963-989. https://doi.org/10.1111/grow.12479.
- Leonard, O. E., Anichebe, & Chukwudi, O. (2016). Effect of Budget Implementation on Accountability of Selected Public Sector Organizations in Nigeria. 2, 34-44.
- Maliki, T. O., & Amusan, O. M. (2019). Impacts of technology innovations and entrepreneurship training on sme performance in Nigeria.
- Mukherjee, T., & Sen, S. S. (2019). Impact of corporate governance on corporate sustainable growth. International research journal of business studies, 12(2), 167-184. https://doi.org/10.21632/irjbs.12.2.167-184.
- Nel, D., & Masilela, L. (2020). Open governance for improved service delivery innovation in South Africa. International Journal of eBusiness and eGovernment Studies, 12(1), 33-47. https://doi.org/10.34111/ijebeg.202012103.
- Nosike, C. J., Ojobor, O. S. N., & Nosike, C. U. (2024). Enhancing business resilience: Innovation and adaptation during and after the global pandemic. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 6(2), 217-229. https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v6i2.1891.
- Okereke, O. O., & Ekpe, A. E. (2002). Development and underdevelopment: Politics of the north-south divide: John Jacob's Classic Publishers.
- Okonkwo, K. O., & Eneh, I. I. (2023). Technological Innovation and Performance of Technology Based Companies In South-West, Nigeria. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 11(8).
- Olughor, R. J. (2015). Effect of innovation on the performance of SMEs organizations in Nigeria. management, 5(3), 90-95. 10.5923/j.mm.20150503.02.
- Omede, K. N., & Aghanenu, A. (2021). Innovation and Entrepreneurship Performance in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. Journal of Management: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), 14(3), 257-275. https://doi.org/10.35508/jom.v14i3.4810.
- Onwe, S. O., Abah, E. O., & Nwokwu, P. M. (2015). Politics of recruitment and selection in the Nigerian civil service-An Ebonyi state experience. Public Policy and Administration Research, 5(2), 92-99.
- Onyekwelu, N. P., Monyei, E. F., & Muogbo, U. S. (2022). Flexible work arrangements and workplace productivity: Examining the nexus. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 4(3), 303-314. https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v4i3.1059.
- Orga, I. (2023). Innovation and sustainability of small and medium scale enterprises in Enugu metropolis. Journal of Accounting and Financial Management, 1(3), 1-26.
- Oyerinde, A. J., Adeyemi, S. N., & Ayantoso, A. (2023). Technological Innovation and SMEs Sales Growth (A Case Study of Some Selected SMEs in Lagos State. Iconic Research and Engineering Journals, 7(1), 370-380.
- Tacheva, Z., Simpson, N., & Ivanov, A. (2020). Examining the role of top management in corporate sustainability: does supply chain position matter? Sustainability, 12(18), 7518. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187518.
- Twaliwi, Z. C., & Isaac, O. M. (2017). Impact of Innovation on the Performance of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise in Gwagwalada, Abuja. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Development, Education and Science Research, 4(1).
- Ukpong, A. M., Uwa, K. L., & Ekanem, U. A. (2022). Business Innovation and Organizational Sustainability: A Cross Sectional Study of Entrepreneurial Business in Uyo Metropolis. European Journal of Business and Innovation Research, 10(4), 74-93.
- Wijesundara, N., Khatibi, A., Azam, S. F., & Tham, J. (2025). Effect of motives on sustainability performance of tourist hotels: Mediating role of sustainability adoption. Journal of Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship, 6(2), 125-140. https://doi.org/10.35912/joste.v6i2.2412.